Paddleboard Conversion Insert for Kayaks

ABSTRACT

A paddleboard conversion insert for kayaks provides additional functionality to a user for a kayak watercraft, enabling the user to further utilize the kayak as a paddleboard, obviating the need to own and transport a second watercraft for access to both activities. An insert body has a kayak attachment surface for attachment within the cockpit of a kayak, and a top surface for the user to stand upon to use the kayak as a paddleboard. The kayak attachment surface may be contoured to match the shape of the deck of the kayak. At least one kayak-deck fastener facilitates removably attachment of the kayak attachment surface to the deck of the kayak.

The current application is a continuation-in-part (CIP) application of a U.S. non-provisional application Ser. No. 15/228,819 filed on Aug. 4, 2016. The U.S. non-provisional application Ser. No. 15/228,819 claims a priority to a U.S. CIP application Ser. No. 14/565,347 filed on Dec. 9, 2014. The U.S. non-provisional application Ser. No. 14/565,347 claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 61/913,446 filed on Dec. 9, 2013.

The current application also claims a priority to a U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 62/524,136 filed on Jun. 23, 2017.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to watercraft. More particularly, the present invention relates to a kayak accessory for use of a kayak as a paddleboard.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A kayak is a small, narrow boat primarily designed to be manually propelled by means of a double-bladed paddle, a pedal mechanism or a trolling motor. Modern kayaks serve diverse purposes, ranging from slow and easy touring on placid water, to racing and complex maneuvering in fast-moving whitewater, to fishing and long-distance ocean excursions, and vary in design according to their application.

The development of kayaks, paddleboards, canoes, wakeboards, kneeboards, surfboards, and other various watercraft has resulted in a plethora of options for users interested in interacting with the water. Many of these devices are better optimized for transportation. The kayak and canoe, for example, have an opening/cavity which enables the user to sit down while paddling, which allows for better transmission of power through the user's body into the paddle, consequently allowing the user to move at relatively high speed through the water. Other watercraft are better optimized for recreational use. Such devices tend to have flat surfaces upon which a user can comfortably stand while paddling, or balance while surfing or riding waves. Each of these devices is somewhat specialized in function and purpose.

However, many water enthusiasts like to vary their activity on the water. Users may, for example, want to kayak early in the day, and then paddleboard for the rest of the afternoon. In order to enjoy both activities, such a user would require both a kayak and a paddleboard, both of which are too bulky and long to fit within most vehicles. The user would have to struggle through the process of securing the kayak and the paddleboard together atop a vehicle for transportation to and from water, and then subsequently struggle to remove such devices for use. When finished with the day's activities, the user must go through the process of mounting their kayak and paddleboard together back atop the roof of the vehicle. Such a tedious process is undoubtedly an unappealing prospect for a water sport enthusiast. With the present invention, you would be able to secure both the kayak and the insert together having only to secure a single item. What is needed is a device that can convert a transportation and exercise-optimized watercraft, particularly a kayak, into a more recreational watercraft, particularly a paddleboard.

The present invention is a device that can fit within any opening/cavity of a kayak, creating a flat surface within the entire kayak, or a small portion, upon which a user may stand or kneel in order to utilize the converted kayak as a paddleboard. The present invention will fill less space than the full kayak, enabling the present invention to be easily transported within most vehicles for convenience. A series of pegs, prongs, hook-and-loop fasteners, snaps, or other removable connectors extending beneath the present invention enable easy addition into a kayak. The body of the present invention is buoyant and can further be used as a floatation device, in the event that the converted kayak flips over or becomes damaged during use. In larger kayaks, such as tandem kayaks, the present invention can be utilized to add deck room, which may be useful to a user who is, for example, fishing and in need of space to prepare and hook bait and lures while on water. The present invention could have a chamber covered by a hinging lid that opens, enabling the user to use the present invention as a live baitwell, waterproof dry storage area, cooler, cutting board, bait station, and more.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the present invention inserted into a kayak according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of FIG. 2 showing the corresponding arrangement of the plurality of knobs to the plurality of holes in the kayak deck according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view showing a storage compartment and corresponding lid according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention designed for use with a tandem kayak and incorporating a storage compartment and an accessory connection configured to receive a seat attachment according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. The present invention is to be described in detail and is provided in a manner that establishes a thorough understanding of the present invention. There may be aspects of the present invention that may be practiced or utilized without the implementation of some features as they are described. It should be understood that some details have not been described in detail in order to not unnecessarily obscure focus of the invention. References herein to “the preferred embodiment”, “one embodiment”, “some embodiments”, or “alternative embodiments” should be considered to be illustrating aspects of the present invention that may potentially vary in some instances, and should not be considered to be limiting to the scope of the present invention as a whole.

The present invention is an insert for kayaks which allows the user to use their kayak as a paddleboard and/or provide a surface and/or compartment for storing various items. The present invention enables the user to utilize existing surface area, including but not limited to, scupper holes and/or seat holes to affix the insert to a sit-on-top kayak, converting it into a stand-up paddleboard. The present invention may be solid and flat or hollowed and used for storage, and may serve as a flotation device in the event that the kayak tips over during use. In larger kayaks, such as a tandem (2-person) kayak, the present invention may extend flat surface area atop the kayak, enabling improved use and weight distribution by one person of the converted 2-person kayak, creating a flat deck space where the front seat would have been. This allows a tandem 2-person kayak to be converted to a 1-person kayak with functional space for fishing, fishing and camping gear storage, or a platform for pets, among other uses.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, in general, the present invention comprises an insert body 1 and at least one kayak-deck fastener 2, wherein the insert body 1 comprises a kayak attachment surface 10 and a top surface 11. The insert body 1 is the primary component of the present invention which fits within a kayak and, in an exemplary embodiment, enables a user to convert a kayak into a multi-use kayak or paddleboard. The insert body 1 is preferably made of a rigid, buoyant material, such as, but not limited to, fiberglass, polyethylene, wood, aluminum, inflatable vinyl, fabric, PVC, nylon, synthetic rubber, a variety of plastics, or any of a variety of other rigid materials capable of floating within water. The insert body 1 may be sized appropriately to fit a full, half or third of a kayak, or can be integrated within an existing kayak. The insert body 1 is typically solid, air filled, or both.

Referring to FIG. 4, in some embodiments, the insert body 1 may further comprise a storage compartment 12 traversing through the top surface 11 into the insert body 1. A lid 13 may further be integrated into the top surface 11 in order to cover the storage compartment 12. In some embodiments, the lid 13 may be an extrusion that covers the storage compartment 12 during use, and enables the user to stand atop the filled opening of a converted kayak. The lid 13 may comprise a surface and a latch. The surface is the component of the lid 13, preferably made of polymer blends or a variety of other non-slip materials, upon which the user may stand or kneel during use of a converted kayak as a paddleboard. In an alternative embodiment, the surface may comprise a swivel. The swivel may be a series of extrusions, cuts, and bearings that enables attachment of a swivel chair. The latch may be an extrusion that enables the lid 13 to secure to the body, providing access to the chamber. A hinge may be further comprised as a set of connectors that enables attachment of the lid 13 to the insert body 1. The lid 13 rotates about the hinge, enabling access to the chamber. The hinge may comprise an opening and a pin. The opening is an extruded cut into the hinge that enables connection of the pin. The pin is a cylindrical extrusion that connects through the opening. The lid 13 rotates relative to the insert body 1 about the pin.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the top surface 11 is generally planar and made of a rigid material in order to support the weight of the user utilizing their kayak with the present invention in a stand-up paddleboard configuration. In some embodiments, the top surface 11 may comprise additional features which may be relevant to stand-up paddleboarding functionality, such as, but not limited to, foot placement grooves, leg attachment stanchions or braces, a paddle securing bracket, one or more cupholders, shelves, or other desired features.

The kayak attachment surface 10 may be regarded as a bottom surface of the insert body 1, positioned opposite the top surface 11 on the insert body 1, and is configured to be removably attached to the kayak deck 3 through the at least one kayak-deck fastener 2. It should be noted herein that the term “deck” of a kayak may be understood to be, and used interchangeably with, the floor of the cockpit of a kayak, the surface upon which the kayak seat is mounted. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the top surface 11 is made of a rigid material. This is to enable the modification of a kayak for paddleboard functionality, wherein a user stands atop the top surface 11 of the present invention as opposed to sitting within the kayak in order to operate the kayak.

In various embodiments, the kayak attachment surface 10 may comprise various shapes. In some embodiments, the kayak attachment surface 10 is contoured to conform to a kayak deck 3. In such embodiments, the kayak attachment surface 10 may be necessarily molded from the shape of the deck of a specific model of kayak in order to exactly or approximately conform to the general shape and contours of the deck of the specific model of kayak. Ostensibly, this may require different embodiments of contours of the kayak attachment surface 10 to match the individual contours of kayak decks 3 of various models of kayaks. In some embodiments, the kayak attachment surface 10 may comprise a generalized contoured shape which is capable of approximating a wide range of kayak decks. In some embodiments, the kayak attachment surface 10 may not require any specific shape, but rather may depend on the nature of the at least one kayak-deck fastener 2 to achieve proper placement of the top surface 11 of the insert body 1 relative to the kayak. In some embodiments, such as in FIG. 4, the kayak attachment surface 10 may be planar.

In some embodiments, the kayak-attachment surface is configured to conform to the kayak deck 3 of a single occupant kayak, as shown in FIGS. 1-3. In some embodiments, the kayak-attachment surface is configured to conform to the kayak deck 3 of a double occupant kayak configuration, as shown in FIG. 5.

In some embodiments, the insert body 1 may be hollow and inflatable, with the kayak attachment surface 10, in addition to the top surface 11, being made of rigid material. In such embodiments, any or most portions of the insert body 1 aside from the top surface 11 and the kayak attachment surface 10 may be made of elastic material, with an air valve traversing into the interior of the insert body 1 for inflating and deflating purposes. The elastic portions of the insert body 1 should still be fairly stiff in order to be able to support the weight of a user standing on the top surface 11.

The at least one kayak-deck fastener 2 functions to secure the present invention to the deck a kayak. It is contemplated that a wide variety of means to fasten the insert body 1 to the deck of a kayak may be utilized in various embodiments, such as, but not limited to, hook and loop strips, clips, straps, screws, snaps, adhesive strips, prongs, nuts and bolts, and the like; however, in the preferred embodiment, the at least one kayak-deck fastener 2 comprises a plurality of knobs 21. Each of the plurality of knobs 21 protrudes from the kayak attachment surface 10 and is situated in a location on the kayak attachment surface 10 such that each of the plurality of knobs 21 will slot into one of a plurality of holes 31 in the kayak deck 3, as illustrated in FIG. 3. The plurality of holes 31 may be understood to include, but are not limited to, drain holes, scupper holes, or any other orifice in the kayak deck 3 that facilitate stabilizing the present invention within the cockpit of the kayak. Each of the plurality of knobs 21 may comprise the same shape or different shape as required for individual kayak configurations. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of knobs 21 is a peg or a cylindrical extrusion protruding downward from the kayak attachment surface 10. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of knobs 21 may comprise different shapes in order to match differently shaped holes. In some embodiments, the at least one kayak-deck fastener 2 may comprise just one knob.

Similarly to the shape of the kayak attachment surface 10, the arrangement of the plurality of knobs 21 may need to be customizably specified for any given model of kayak. In general, given that the kayak deck 3 comprises a plurality of holes 31 distributed about the kayak deck 3 in a specific arrangement, the plurality of knobs 21 is distributed about the kayak attachment surface 10 corresponding to the specific arrangement of holes. Thus, the kayak attachment surface 10, and therefore the insert body 1, may be removably attached to the kayak deck 3 by inserting the plurality of knobs 21 into the plurality of holes 31.

As previously mentioned, the top surface 11 may comprise additional features as desired. Referring to FIG. 5, one such feature may be an accessory connection 4 connected atop the top surface 11. The accessory connection 4 may be generalized to accommodate a variety of connectable accessories, or may be specialized to a specific purpose. In some embodiments, the accessory connection 4 may be a swivel attachment. In some embodiments, the accessory connection 4 may be configured to receive a seat attachment 5. Thus, a user may be presented the option of attaching a swiveling seat or other accessories atop the present invention.

In the preferred usage of the present invention, the user may first open the lid 13 of the present invention and place items to be stored, such as fishing equipment or snacks, and subsequently closes the lid 13. The user then travels to a body of water with a kayak and the present invention. The user removes the kayak and places it into the water, and subsequently places the present invention into the opening/cavity of a kayak, matching the pegs of the insert body 1 with the holes within the kayak. The user can then stand atop the top surface 11 to utilize the converted kayak as a paddleboard. While on the water, the user may open the lid 13 and access the contents within. If the user tips while using the converted kayak, the present invention will dislodge from the opening/cavity of the kayak, and may be used as a flotation device. Upon completion of converted kayak usage, the user may remove the present invention from the opening/cavity of the kayak by simply removing the present invention from the opening/cavity of the kayak. The present invention is prepared for subsequent usage as a sit-on-top kayak.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A paddleboard conversion insert for kayaks comprises: an insert body; at least one kayak-deck fastener; the insert body comprises a kayak attachment surface and a top surface; the kayak attachment surface and the top surface being positioned opposite each other on the insert body; the top surface being made of a rigid material; and the kayak attachment surface being removably attached to the kayak deck through the at least one kayak-deck fastener.
 2. The paddleboard conversion insert for kayaks as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the kayak attachment surface being contoured to conform to a kayak deck.
 3. The paddleboard conversion insert for kayaks as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the top surface being planar.
 4. The paddleboard conversion insert for kayaks as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the insert body being made of a rigid material.
 5. The paddleboard conversion insert for kayaks as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the insert body being made of a buoyant material.
 6. The paddleboard conversion insert for kayaks as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the insert body being hollow; the insert body being inflatable; and the kayak attachment surface being made of a rigid material.
 7. The paddleboard conversion insert for kayaks as claimed in claim 1 comprises: wherein the kayak deck comprises a plurality of holes distributed about the kayak deck in a specific arrangement; the at least one kayak-deck fastener comprises a plurality of knobs; and the plurality of knobs being distributed about the kayak attachment surface according to the specific arrangement, wherein the kayak attachment surface is removably attached to the kayak deck by inserting the plurality of knobs into the plurality of holes.
 8. The paddleboard conversion insert for kayaks as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the kayak-attachment surface being configured to conform to the kayak deck of a single occupant kayak configuration.
 9. The paddleboard conversion insert for kayaks as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the kayak-attachment surface being configured to conform to the kayak deck of a double occupant kayak configuration.
 10. The paddleboard conversion insert for kayaks as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the insert body comprises a storage compartment; and the storage compartment traversing through the top surface into the insert body.
 11. The paddleboard conversion insert for kayaks as claimed in claim 1 comprises: an accessory connection; and the accessory connection being connected atop the top surface.
 12. The paddleboard conversion insert for kayaks as claimed in claim 11 comprises: the accessory connection being a swivel connection.
 13. The paddleboard conversion insert for kayaks as claimed in claim 11 comprises: the accessory connection being configured to receive a seat attachment. 